Celebrating 10 years of the Yogyakarta Principles: What have we learnt and where to now? The increasing challenges faced by the LGBTI communities in many parts of the world were marked by many speakers, including Muhammad Nukhhoiron, who spoke about specific incidences of growing anti-LGBTI sentiments in Indonesia. LGBTI defenders and human rights activists have been targeted and traumatised in recent years. He expressed his hope that this forum will enhance efforts to strengthen the movement of LGBTI rights and provide better protection for advocates. By reiterating the purpose of the conference in stimulating ideas and discussions on further supplementing the Yogyakarta Principles and potential future directions, Pip Dargan emphasised the roles and responsibilities of NHRIs in promoting and protecting the human rights of the LGBTI community. She stressed the need of prioritising and enhancing the effectiveness of NHRI efforts, and made reference to the recommendations of the Advisory Council of Jurists (ACJ).5 The recommendations covered capacitybuilding, research, education, promotion and dialogue, monitoring, advocacy and the support of the APF.6 The continued efforts of APF in increasing the level of education and awareness on the Yogyakarta Principles and LGBTI rights, including the ongoing blended learning programmes were highlighted.7 The breadth and consistency of work in relation to LGBTI rights today is identified as a testament to the commitment of the human rights community and demonstrates how much could be achieved in promoting and protecting the human rights of LGBTI people in the next 10 years. The need to reflect on the rapid advances in technology and social media over the past 10 years, and the future use of such technologies most effectively by many LGBTI individuals, advocates and organisations must be part of our agenda today. The role of NHRIs in working with people, governments, civil society, UN bodies and agencies, judiciaries, medical sector, religious leaders and communities, the international human rights system, and others will be crucial in shaping the future. Such a future will need to be a more inclusive one, based on human dignity, respect and human rights, which can be achieved through many different pathways. In the face of growing extremism and an uncertain future in many parts of the world, the need to effectively use the Yogyakarta Principles as a critical launching pad for the activities of LGBTI advocates was accentuated. Concerted efforts by activists and advocates to explore different pathways to ensure the effective realisation of the rights of LGBTI community and sustained programmes to breakdown the various barriers of negative stereotypes and prejudices was emphasised. 10 5 Details of the recommendations by ACJ are available at: www.asiapacificforum.net/support/advice-and-expertise/acj/sogi/. 6 The Report is available at: www.asiapacificforum.net/resources/acj-report-sogi/. 7 The blended course includes four weeks of online learning, followed by a week-long workshop. Further information on the course is available at: www.asiapacificforum.net/support/training/sogisc/.